23 Aug 1.Welcome to the Friendly City

What a first week it has been here in San Francisco. I’ve packed lots in, met more new people than I can begin to count and, most importantly, I’ve had a great time. Given that this is my first visit to SF I have been completely overwhelmed by the niceness of the locals.

I come from Stirling, a small city in Central Scotland, where the people are pleasant enough but the general demeanour of the residents is not what I would immediately describe as friendly. Then, two years ago, I moved to London to study at Kingston University. Well, you can guess how one would describe the inhabitants of that fine city! It’s perhaps unfair to say that the people of London are rude. They’re just always busy, and stressed out, and in a hurry, and more important than the person next to them, and haven’t used the word “please” in the last six months, and don’t know the meaning of the phrase “thank you”. But San Francisco is very different to both of these places.

The people of San Francisco are genuinely nice. I mean NICE. Not just they occasionally remember to say “excuse me” when they want to pass by you. No. Here they are lovely! You’re met with friendly greetings and asked how you are. Your response is listened to, considered and usually sparks a conversation. Every interaction ends with “have a good one”, which I believe is always heartfelt. Staff in shops seem truly happy to see you, a customer. In the UK the sign of a customer, for most retail workers, would make them die a little bit on the inside as it suggests that they may have to do some form of work and, shock horror, interact with the general public. I haven’t dined out at a restaurant here yet but I would bet my bottom dollar that the service is a million times better than the experience I gave to customers back in London where I worked in a busy and central restaurant.

Let me tell you about the moment I realised that this city was definitely not like London.

I was in the library on campus waiting to use the copier. There were two girls using it and then one guy in front of me waiting to use it. The girls were taking their time in working out how to use the machine: how to swipe on with their student cards, which way round to put their documents in, how much did it cost. I was stood there sighing and rolling my eyes, in my head I was screaming “JUST GET ON WITH IT!!!!!!” – not so unlike those rude Lononders after all, am I? I had nowhere I needed to be. The guy in front of me, who I felt should have the same low key reaction as I did, was not a bit bothered at the length of time these ladies were taking. In fact, instead of being rude and self-centred, like myself, he stepped forward to help them figure out the machine. Okay, so that story wasn’t thrilling – it definitely needed more explosions -but it did teach me a little about myself.

If I don’t learn anything else during my time here in SF, which would be disappointing as I am here to study, at least I’ve learned this: things don’t always have to be done at 120MPH. It’s okay to stop and ask somebody how their day is going. It’s nice to listen to their response. It’s okay to be held up for two minutes in the copier queue (sorry, “line”) whilst somebody works out how to use it. In fact, it’s nice if whilst you’re waiting you help resolve their queries. It’s nice to smile at people even if you don’t have a specific reason to. I’ve had people compliment my shoes in the lift, my shirt as I walked through a parking lot and even my perfume as I passed them in the street– not through obligation but just because they really are nice people here and, well, it’s nice to be nice.

I loved living in London, I truly do love it there, but it’s so busy and exhausting that it leaves you with no time or energy to consider those around you. San Francisco on the other hand… Well, let’s just say that all the friendliness I’m about to experience this year has got to be good for the soul.

Have a good one!

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